New York State took a mid-decade census every ten years from 1825-1875, then again in 1892, 1905, 1915, and 1925. 1892 is particularly useful because very little of the 1890 federal schedules exist. Not all the schedules survive for each county and each census year. A good guide to what does exist is New York State Census Records, 1790-1925, compiled by Marilyn Douglas and Melinda Yates, Bibliography Bulletin 88 (Albany: State Education Dept., 1981).

The collection at the NYG&B includes all surviving microfilmed New York State census records purchased from several sources. None have been indexed on a statewide basis. Some local genealogical and historical societies have indexed their own areas. More common are published transcripts or abstracts, mainly for individual towns. In addition, and especially for urban areas, maps are available of some places which identify the wards, enumeration or election districts, and assembly districts, which allow a search if an address or neighborhood is known.

The NYG&B Library has a large number of these finding aids available, many of which have been compiled by our members for use by our members. Following is an example of the types of finding aids that are available for different census years and different counties. The Library has a handout available (too long to publish here) which lists every available finding aid we have by census year and county.

Following this is a description of content listing the types of questions asked in the census and the years they were asked. Worth mentioning is the 1925 census which asked for year and place of naturalization. This is a great help when trying to narrow down when and in which court a person applied for citizenship. Also, the 1905, 1915, and 1925 censuses asked the number of years living in the United States. In addition to the population schedules, there were special schedules done for the years 1825-1875. The special schedules are on the same reels as the population schedules. The types of schedules and the years they were done are also included in the contents list following the finding aid examples.

[Abstracts of 1825 New York State Census for Some Towns in Jefferson County], Genealogical Journal of Jefferson County, NY [NY Co J356.5]. Alphabetical by surname within town, includes added page numbers. When town spans more than one issue, check all issues, as entries are alphabetized for each part published, not the town as a whole. Adams 2(3), 1990; Alexandria 2(4) 1990 (see below); Antwerp 3(1), 1991; Brownville part 1 3(2) 1991, part 2 4(2) 1992; Champion 4(3) 1992; Ellisburg part 1 6(2) 1994, part 2 6(3) 1994; Henderson 6(4) 1994; Hounsfield part 1 7(1) 1995, part 2 7(3) 1995; and LeRay part 1 8(1) 1996. Also, “1825 Alexandria, New York State Census” Jefferson County Genealogical Journal, 1998.

Oneida County, NY Index to Landowners Census of 1814 and Federal and State Censuses of 1825, 1830, 1835, 1850, 1855, 1860 and 1870 [MICROFILM 34.2, 2 reels]. Names in alphabetical order within town with page numbers. Towns beginning with A-T [Reel 1], U-W [Reel 2]. Does NOT include towns of Forestpoint or Richland.

Transcription of 1845 Census for [Town of] Willett [Cortland County] NY (1935?) [FILE Willett, Cortland Co., NY]. Alphabetical by surname, no page numbers.

New York County 1855 Street Index to Ward Numbers, Boundaries of Wards and Election Districts, List [Addresses] of Polling Places, and Map of Ward Boundaries by B-Ann Moorhouse (1995) [FINDING AIDS (MICROFILM) – Box 2]. First determine address from 1855 New York City directory or other source. Also, New York County 1855 Maps of Wards and Election Districts [FINDING AIDS (MICROFILM) – Box 2]. Also, Census Map of NYC - 1855 [FLAT FILE – MAPS (NY LOCAL #10)]. Also The Children’s Aid Society of New York: An Index to the Federal, State and Local Census Records of Its Lodging Houses, 1855-1925, by Carolee R. Inskeep (Baltimore: Clearfield, 1996) [NY L M314.79 C48]. Only includes one lodging house (p.3).

Kings County 1865 Boundaries of Wards and Election Districts, and List of Enumerators by Ward, by B-Ann Moorhouse [FINDING AIDS (MICROFILM) – Box 2]. First determine address from 1865 Brooklyn city directory or other source, then use ward and district descriptions and enumerators to narrow search.

Wayne County, NY Census Indexes 1850, 1855, 1860, 1865, 1870, 1875, and 1880 [MICROFILM 61.2]. Surnames only, in alphabetical order within town, with page numbers.

[Transcription of] “1892 Census of the Town of Coxsackie [Greene County], 1st Election District,” Greene Genes, 9(1) 1996 [NY Co G830.7]. Names in census order, no page numbers. Indexed.

New York County, 1905-1925 Street Index [For State Censuses] [MICROFILM]. First determine address from 1905 New York City directory or other source. Determine assembly district, election district, and page numbers from index films.*

Queens County, NY 1915 New York State Census Index to Street Addresses [MICROFILM].

First determine address from a Queens County directory (none for 1915 at NYG&BS) or other source. Determine assembly district, election district, and page numbers from index film.

Map of the City of Buffalo, [Erie County] NY, 1925 [New York Local #4 Flat File] shows wards, assembly districts, and election districts for the census. Ward Maps for the Cities of Lackawanna and Tonawanda, [Erie County] NY, 1925 [New York Local #7 Flat File] shows wards, assembly districts, and election districts for the census.

It is well known that the New York State censuses often contain data not found in the Federal census schedules, or not found in the Federal census until many years later. Following is some of the information in the State schedules that researchers may find useful, other than the usual names, ages, etc. Remember that prior to 1855 these censuses only show heads of household with statistics, not the name of every individual.

Marriages

• 1865

• 1865

• 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875

• 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875

New York State Census Microfilm in the NYG&BS Library

Albany 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Allegany 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Bronx¹ 1915, 1925

Broome^{2, 8} 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892,

1905, 1915, 1925

Cattaraugus 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Cayuga 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

Chautauqua 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Chemung 1855, 1865, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Chenango 1855, 1865, 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Clinton 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Columbia 1855, 1865, 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Cortland 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Delaware 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Dutchess 1865, 1875, 1892, 1915, 1925

Erie 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Essex 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Franklin 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Fulton 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Genesee 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Greene 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1915, 1925

Hamilton 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Herkimer 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Jefferson 1825, 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Kings 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Lewis 1825, 1835, 1855, 1865, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Livingston 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

Madison 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Monroe 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Montgomery 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Nassau³ 1915, 1925

New York 1855, 1905, 1915, 1925

Niagara 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1915, 1925

Oneida⁴ 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

Onondaga 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Ontario 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1915, 1925

Orange 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

Orleans 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Oswego 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Otsego 1825, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Putnam 1915, 1925

Queens 1892, 1915, 1925

Rensselaer 1855, 1865, 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Richmond 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

Rockland⁵ 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

St. Lawrence⁶ 1845, 1865, 1905, 1915, 1925

Saratoga 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Schenectady 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Schoharie 1825, 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Schuyler 1855, 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

Seneca 1905, 1915, 1925

Steuben 1825, 1835, 1845, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Suffolk 1865, 1915, 1925

Sullivan 1855, 1875, 1915, 1925

Tioga 1825, 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Tompkins 1825, 1835, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Ulster 1855, 1865, 1875, 1905, 1915, 1925

Warren 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Washington 1825, 1835, 1855, 1865, 1875, 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Wayne⁷ 1892, 1905, 1915, 1925

Westchester 1905, 1915, 1925

Wyoming 1865, 1875, 1915, 1925

1. Bronx County, created 1914, is included in the 1905 census of New York County.

2. Broome County 1925 film includes county copies of 1820 and 1830 federal censuses. Broome County 1845 has statistical compilations only.

3. Nassau County, created 1899, is included in the 1892 Queens County census.

4. Library also has film of Oneida County 1814 assessment roll which has been referred to as a “census.”

5. Rockland County 1855-1865 film includes county copy of part of 1850 federal census.

6. St. Lawrence County film for 1845-1865 includes copy of 1815 assessment roll and county copy of 1850 federal census.

7. Wayne County 1855 is a transcript covering only the towns of Lyons, Marion, Macedon, Ontario, and Palmyra.

_______________________________

The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society Library

122 East 58th Street

New York, NY 10022-1939

212-755-8532

http://www.nygbs.org

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm